Revamped website helps ONP campers set reservations

The Olympic National Park Wilderness Information Center transitioned to an online reservation system through recreation.gov on March 18.

The new online reservation system allows backpackers to check the availability of sites in real time, plan their trip and receive immediate confirmation, and streamline the park’s wilderness permit reservations.

In addition to the online option, wilderness permit reservation requests can be submitted in person at a park Wilderness Information Center during business hours. A third option for phone reservations will be functional by late April. This option will allow users to call the recreation.gov call center at 877-444-6777 to obtain a reservation.

“The new online system is more efficient, convenient and allows more time for our wilderness information specialists to answer questions and assist with trip planning,” Olympic National Park superintendent Sarah Creachbaum said.

The fee for online, phone or in person reservations will be $6 in addition to the regular permit fees. Wilderness Permit fees are $8 per person, per night for individuals 16 or older.